Leadership Springfield lists its mission as working to “attract emerging leaders from the community, businesses, and professions who have established themselves as having leadership potential and have shown a concern for Springfield's future.”

The organization is making new strides in that area with the announcements of its newest Signature Classes and Academy Class.

Signature Classes 33 & 34

A year ago, the Leadership Springfield decided to expand the Signature Class program to two full classes starting in fall 2017. The idea was simple: In the more than 30 years since the program began, Springfield has grown and so has the need for thoughtful, engaged community leadership.

The Springfield community responded with 98 applications, the most the program has ever received. Board members read all of the applications before voting for the best candidates for the program. A selection committee rounded out each of the two classes with an eye toward gender balance, sectors of the economy, and a mix of seasoned and emerging leaders.

For 28 years, Leadership Academy has connected 32 participants with business leaders and community organizations while giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of our city.

The Leadership Academy is open to juniors from nine Springfield public and private high schools as well as homeschool students who reside within the Springfield Public Schools district. The past two years, the organization’s selection committee has reviewed blind applications from the area’s most promising incoming juniors, and the overwhelming response from this committee was that this year was the hardest selection process to date.

And don’t forget – if you’re one of the alumni of a Leadership Springfield program, be sure to join us for the annual One Big Class Reunion.

This is the chance for Leadership Springfield classmates to connect and be inspired by the newest group of alumni. This happy hour event is where we will recognize and celebrate the members of Signature Class 32 and Principals Class 4, and reveal the winner of the O. Franklin Kenworthy Award. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hang out with your peers and friends and further develop the bonds that help make Springfield such a great place to live.